Hi and welcome :)
Origins
I realised quite early on that the 'ordinary life' was not for me.
I was always described as independent. I knew I wanted to live life on my terms, but I was still figuring out what exactly I wanted.
As I grew older, so did this longing sense of freedom. I knew I wanted to explore the unknown. The signs were there. Seeking out hidden waterfall treks. Day trips into the country. A long weekend down the coast.
It wasn’t until I first stepped out of Australia, that I finally realised what my heart so was desperately seeking.
My First Big Leap
At 21 years old, while studying to become a teacher, I signed up with a university program to teach English in Japan!
My 3 weeks living in remote Japan, navigating a new culture and discovering a world beyond what I ever could have imagined, sparked the beginning of an inextinguishable flame inside me.
My love for travel was born.
The entire experience was definitely a ‘wow’ moment. It was a moment of realisation.
I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life.
Choosing Freedom
The other constant in my life was my passion for creation and design. Whether it be drawing, photography or designing, I always knew I wanted to share my creations with the world.
I enjoyed working as a high-school art teacher. However as I said, the normal life was simply not for me. To this day, I have once worked a full time job.
My number one priority in life was chasing that spark again. I wanted true freedom.
So I worked casually, travelled whenever I had the chance, and kept creating and developing my skills on the side.
I didn’t realise it at the time, but those years were shaping the life, and the freedom, I have now.
The Turning Point
2020 rolled around and like everyone, all my travel plans were cancelled. I did the (sadly) responsible thing and put those savings towards my first house while also launching my first online business selling my artwork.
While this kept me busy, all I really wanted was to get back out into the world! I figured, if I couldn’t board a flight, then maybe it was time to start exploring my own backyard.
So, I purchased a 1 way ticket to Adelaide, and used the very last of my savings to buy a second home, my first camper-van!
I’d never driven a van before. I’d never even camped before..
But this impulsive decision ended up being one of the best things I’ve ever done.
I embarked on a 7 month trip around Australia, and I’ve never looked back.
Merging the 2 Worlds
After years of travelling, growing, failing and learning, I eventually realised that my two passions, art and travel, were never meant to be separate for me. Combining my love for art with my love for exploring, simply felt right.
And that’s how Simplistic Travel was born.
My photography, my designs and my stories have come to life here, allowing me to share the slow, simple way I see the world.
It's become a place where I can turn my favourite memories and experiences into stories and art that will last forever.
Where Am I Now?
Today, I’m continuing to explore my backyard in my van, collecting as many memories and moments as I can. I absolutely live for the quiet places, the hidden beaches, the soft morning light, being engulfed in nature, and noticing the small details most people overlook.
I’m capturing, documenting and story-telling all my adventures, while continuing to share my art and build my business into something I can be forever proud of.
Everything I create comes from something real. Somewhere I’ve been, something I’ve felt, or a moment that stopped me long enough to pull out my camera and pause a special moment in time.
Our Values
Simplistic Travel is so much more than trips or destinations. It’s about slowing down, appreciating the small moments and finding beauty in the simplest of things.
Whatever has led you here, maybe you’re planning your next trip, checking out my designs, or just here for the unfiltered van-life chaos, my hope is that something here sparks an idea, makes you smile, or inspires you to set off on your own adventure.
Thanks so much for being here.
Ash xx
